Leading the charge and expanding our understanding of Bahamian terrestrial ecology
Research plays a vital role in helping scientists, policymakers, and the public make informed decisions about what is happening in The Bahamas. Unfortunately, Bahamian-led research in The Bahamas is still in its infancy, and most research work has been done primarily by international scientists. While we are grateful for all of the amazing work that has been conducted thus far in the country over the years, Wild Bahamas seeks to advance and promote more Bahamian-led research. Our aim is to enhance the capabilities of young Bahamian scientists by offering diverse training opportunities aimed at cultivating the essential skills for precise data collection, proficient writing, and the publication of peer-reviewed articles covering various facets of the Bahamian Terrestrial landscape.
Over the years, Wild Bahamas scientists have authored and co-authored numerous observations on Bahamian wildlife distributions, the biology of animals, and the introduction and spread of non-native and invasive alien species that threaten Bahamian fauna, flora, and ecosystems. Some are provided below as a resource for ease of reference.
published research papers
Ewert, D.N., Hall, K.R., Wunderle Jr, J.M., Currie, D., Rockwell, S.M., Johnson, S.B. and White, J.D., 2012. Duration and rate of spring migration of Kirtland's Warblers. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 124(1), pp.9-14.
Antalffy, J.M., Rowley, M.G., Johnson, S.B., Cant-Woodside, S., Freid, E.H., Omland, K.E. and Fagan, M.E., 2021. Comparing global and local maps of the Caribbean pine forests of Andros, home of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 193, pp.1-16.
Stonko, D.C., Rolle, L.E., Smith, L.S., Scarselletta, A.L., Christhilf, J.L., Rowley, M.G., Yates, S.S., Cant-Woodside, S., Brace, L., Johnson, S.B. and Omland, K.E., 2018. New documentation of pine forest nesting by the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi). Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, 31, pp.1-5.
Johnson, S. and Hayes, W.K., 2020. An improved approach to measuring sexual dimorphism in snakes: Morphological variation in the Bahamian Racer (Cubophis vudii vudii). Reptiles & Amphibians, 27(2), pp.137-146.
Johnson, S., Loring, P., Jones, D. and Yates, S., 2018. Atypical foraging habitat use by Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) in The Bahamas. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, 31, pp.65-67.
Johnson, S., 2021. First record of a Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vitattus) in The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 28(1), pp.163-164.
Johnson, S., 2021. First record of a" mating ball" in Bahamian Racers (Cubophis vudii) on Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 28(2), pp.274-274.
Johnson, S., 2021. Attempted predation of a Bahamian Racer (Cubophis vudii vudii) by a Bahamian Boa (Chilabothrus strigilatus strigilatus) on New Providence, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 28(1), pp.59-60.
Johnson, S. and Francois, K., 2018. First record of an eastern Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) from Paradise Island, the Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 25(3), pp.214-214.
Johnson, S., Buckner, S. and Knowles, D., 2018. Another parthenogenetic species of gecko on New Providence Island, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 25(3), pp.215-216.
Rowley, M.G., Stanley, R.C., Antalffy, J.M., Christhilf, J.L., Stonko, D.C., Johnson, S.B., Cant-Woodside, S., Sillett, T.S., Fagan, M.E., Studds, C.E. and Omland, K.E., 2021. Hierarchical distance sampling reveals increased population size and broader habitat use in the endangered Bahama Oriole. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 16(1).
Johnson, S. and Gibson, D., 2018. South American Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) found on Great Guana Cay, Abaco, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 25(2), pp.160-161.
Johnson, S. and Woods, D., 2016. First record of Red Cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus) on Andros Island, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 23(3), pp.187-187.
Johnson, S., 2011. A non-native skink on Grand Bahama. Reptiles & Amphibians, 18(4), pp.247-248.
Johnson, S. and Yates, S.S., 2020. First records of the North American Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) on New Providence, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 26(3), pp.257-258.
Johnson, S. and Knowles, D., 2017. Cuban Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) on Great Abaco, Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 24(2), pp.142-142.
Dobson, A., Atkins, N., Bradley, P., Collazo, J., Collier, N., Gemmill, D., Johnson, S., Levesque, A., Schaffner, F., Sorenson, L. and Sutton, A., 2022. In memoriam: Dr. Robert L. Norton, 1945–2022. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, 35, pp.25-28.
Johnson, S., 2020. First Record of the Bahamian Racer (Cubophis vudii vudii) in Joulter Cays National Park, Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 27(2), pp.253-253.
Johnson, S. and Knowles, T., 2019. North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) on Grand Bahama, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 26(1), pp.77-78.
Johnson, S., 2018. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) on New Providence Island, The Bahamas. Reptiles & Amphibians, 25(3), pp.212-213.
Abdool, F., Johnson, S., Madden, H., MacDonald, B., Pors-da Costa Gomez, M. and Yokoyama, M., 2014. Caribbean Waterbirds
Omland, K., Cant, S., Johnson, S., Jeffery, M., Tschirky, J., Robertson, H., Price, M. and Sillett, S., Conservation Biology of the Critically Endangered Bahama Oriole: Estimating Current Population Size and Evaluating Threats.
Johnson, S., 2024. First Records of Spiders in the Genus Micrathena (Araneae: Araneidae) from The Bahamas. Caribbean Journal of Science, 54(1), pp.107-108.
Soanes, L.M., Johnson, J., Eckert, K., Gumbs, K., Halsey, L.G., Hughes, G., Levasseur, K., Quattro, J., Richardson, R., Skinner, J.P. and Wynne, S., 2022. Saving the sea turtles of Anguilla: Combining scientific data with community perspectives to inform policy decisions. Biological Conservation, 268, p.109493.
Johnson, S. 2025. A First Record of the Potentially Invasive Gnaphosoid spider Cithaeron praedonius in The Bahamas. Caribbean Journal of Science, 55(1), 203-204